Something lights up in my chest, piquing my interest. The supposedly dull, studious girl is a stone-cold statue as Death whispers against her pale skin.
As if a wildcat exists beneath the surface of her skin, waiting for the chance to pounce.
“That you are.” I wait for her gaze to lift to mine. “So, what exactlydoyou want?”
Her eyes narrow. “Right this second? I want to go home and sleep. In the long-term, I’d like to attend Stanford, like I’msupposedto, and get my microbiology degree. Work in a lab for a few years, do some genetic mutation fellowships, and maybe cure cancer.”
My brows hike up. I wasn’t expecting an honest answer, especially not one so detailed. “I see. So, you’re saying you have no intent to see this arrangement through?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Are you always so honest?”
“I don’t see the point in lying right now,” she says with a shrug. “I can yearn all I like, but I can’t change anything that’s happening…right?”
Her eyes shimmer with that question, and it takes me a moment to formulate a reply.
“Tales of the Ricci sisters’ backbones run rampant in the Boston underworld. How unfortunate for me that I seem to have gotten the only one lacking in that regard.”
“This is highly unorthodox,” Rafael snaps, squeezing her harder. She winces, and I know it’s not because of me. He glares in my direction, over her. “You shouldn’t even be speaking until this arrangement has been carried out.”
“Thearrangementwas you paying off what your greedy wife stole from my family.”
“‘Stole’ is a bit of a harsh term?—”
“Did she not trick her way into men’s beds in exchange for favors and cash?Mycash?”
I keep my gaze on Stella, waiting to see if the revelation changes anything for her. Either she’s aware that her mother is a lowly vermin, thieving from the gardens of others, or she doesn’t care.
“Anyone else would’ve already put a bullet between your teeth, Rafael. You should be grateful I have more patience than most.”
“She did it because shehadto,” he rushes out. “Necessity drove Carmen to your finances; we were desperate, drowning in debts caused by our eldest turning informant. Surely, you can understand something like that. Have some fucking mercy, De Tore, for Christ’s sake.”
“How dare you beg me for mercy.” I turn slightly, removing the gun from Stella’s forehead to press it to her father’s temple. “In the Lord’s house. Don’t you find that blasphemous? As if I’d ever grant you it anyway.”
“I—I don’t have the money,” Rafael says finally, shaking like a leaf. “Carmen has been…missing for the better part of the last few years, and there is no way to access anything without arousing suspicion. The goddamn Feds are still watching me, you know.”
He blows out a breath, and Stella cringes again. I glance down, noting the vise grip he has on her arm, and irritation roars between my ears.
“So, you lied to get me here. Then, instead of admitting you’re a snivelingcazzo, you present me with youryoungestdaughter. She’s not even your most valuable player.” They both bristle at the proclamation, which fuels me further. My finger unlocks the gun’s safety, and while fear registers immediately on his face, hers remains calm and collected. “Very disrespectful, Rafael. Someone needs to teach you some fucking manners.”
“Please, I’ll do anything, but… she’s really all I have.”
I’m not sure how much of his spiel is true, given the contacts he retains and business he still controls, even after the trial for his many crimes. If I hold it at face value, then taking his daughter will shift any of his remaining power to my hands.
But not for a simple one-time lay. That won’t change anything except make her an open target for men in the city. If they don’t already desire her for her looks, then they’ll undoubtedly jump at the chance to mess with her father.
No, she needs to be something more than a fuck.
I glance at her dress, then back to Rafael, a thought unfolding in my mind. “Then let her go.”
He sputters, beads of sweat pouring down the sides of his aged face. “What?”
“You’re soiling my gift.”
“Y-your gift? You’re accepting my offer?” He exhales roughly, glancing between the two of us.
“No, but I’ll counter.” I wait, raising my brows pointedly at where he still holds her. After a moment, he releases her, and she stumbles out of the way with a grunt. “You want mercy, Rafael? Want me to pretend all this didn’t happen? I’ll need a bit more than a single night.”
